Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
107. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm how many persons in the Dublin Central constituency have been assisted under the better energy homes programme for the years 2020 to 2023 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm how many persons in the Dublin Central constituency have been assisted under the warmer homes scheme for the years 2020 to 2023 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45155/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons in the Dublin Central Constituency currently on waiting lists for each SEAI grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45156/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 to 109, inclusive, together.
In February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.
Since then, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been exceptionally high and the strong performance seen in 2022 has continued in 2023. Figures from the SEAI show that, to the end of September, €213 million has been provided to support 34,000 home energy upgrades, representing a 96% increase on spend and a 111% increase on output on the same period last year.
The information sought is not available because SEAI does not compile data on a constituency basis. However, SEAI data in relation to the number upgrades supported under the Warmer Homes Scheme and Better Energy Homes Scheme in County Dublin during 2020, 2021, 2022 and to end August 2023 is set out below:
Home upgrades completed under the Better Energy Warmer Homes in Co. Dublin:
• 2023 to end August: 1,114
• 2022: 1,557
• 2021: 943
• 2020: 508
Home upgrades supported under the Better Energy Homes in Co. Dublin:
• 2023 to end August: 2,421
• 2022: 2,590
• 2021: 2,468
• 2020: 3,803
Regarding the information sought in relation to the number of persons on waiting lists for the various schemes operated by the SEAI, the position is as follows:
- The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval. Data from the SEAI shows the average cycle time from application to payment for the Better Energy Homes Scheme is approximately 170 days and approximately 148 days for the Solar PV Scheme.
- Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months. The most recent data from SEAI shows that for home upgrades completed in Quarter 1, 2023 the average cycle time for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme was 142 days. Average cycle time data is not available for the Community Energy Grant Scheme.
- The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The most recent figures from SEAI show there are 17,000 homes on the WHS work programme. It should be noted the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. The average waiting time from application to completion in Q2 2023 was just under 19 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
A more detailed overview of the SEAI performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes can be found in the recently published quarterly report, which can be found on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q2-2023.pdf.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 107.
Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 107.
